The mirrorball lights dimmed, seventy two million votes had already been counted, and five exhausted couples stood on stage holding hands. That single moment on November 25, 2025 answered the question millions of fans were searching for that night. Who won Dancing with the Stars 2025? The answer is Robert Irwin, the wildlife conservationist and son of the late Steve Irwin, alongside his professional partner Witney Carson.
This was not just another finale. It closed out the biggest season in the show’s history and delivered one of the most emotional storylines fans have seen in years. Below you will find every detail worth knowing, from the final scores to the family legacy that made this win so meaningful.
Quick Profile: Robert Irwin and Witney Carson
Before diving into the finale itself, here is a quick snapshot of the winning pair so you can see their background at a glance.
| Detail | Robert Irwin | Witney Carson |
|---|---|---|
| Age at time of win | 21 | 32 |
| Known for | Wildlife conservationist, TV personality | Professional dancer, DWTS pro since season 17 |
| Family connection | Son of Steve Irwin, brother of Bindi Irwin | Married with children |
| Previous DWTS win | First season competing | Won season 19 with Alfonso Ribeiro |
| Season 34 total finale score | 89 out of 90 | Same partnership score |
| Home country | Australia | United States |
This table matters because it shows why the win felt so personal for both dancers. Witney Carson was returning to the mirrorball trophy for a second time as a professional, while Robert Irwin was chasing a dream he had watched his own sister live out a decade earlier.
The Season 34 Finale Showdown
The Final Five Contestants
Five couples fought for the trophy on finale night, and every single one of them had earned their place through months of steady improvement. The final lineup included Robert Irwin and Witney Carson, Alix Earle and Val Chmerkovskiy, Jordan Chiles and Ezra Sosa, Dylan Efron and Daniella Karagach, and Elaine Hendrix and Alan Bersten.
Each celebrity brought a different story to the ballroom. Jordan Chiles arrived as an Olympic gymnast with elite body control. Alix Earle built a massive online following as a social media influencer. Dylan Efron, younger brother of actor Zac Efron, stepped fully out of his comfort zone this season. Elaine Hendrix, known to many from The Parent Trap, proved that experience and heart can carry a dancer just as far as youth. Robert Irwin, though, carried something extra into the ballroom: a family legacy that the entire season kept circling back to.
The Three Round Format
The finale followed a three round structure that tested every skill the couples had built all season. First came the judges’ choice round, where each judge assigned a dance style to a couple. Derek Hough chose the quickstep for Robert and Witney, set to Are You Gonna Be My Girl by Jet.
Next was the instant dance challenge, a genuinely nerve wracking segment where couples learned their assigned style only minutes before performing live. Robert and Witney drew the cha cha, dancing to Cake By The Ocean under intense time pressure. The night closed with a freestyle round offering complete creative freedom, and Robert used it to pay tribute to his family through a routine set to Black and Gold by Sam Sparro and The Nights by Avicii. Remarkably, all five couples landed at least one perfect score across the three rounds, showing just how deep the talent pool had become by finale night.
Robert Irwin’s Scores and Performance Highlights
Numbers tell part of the story, and Robert’s scorecard was nearly flawless. Here is the full breakdown from finale night.
| Round | Dance Style | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Judges’ choice | Quickstep | 29 out of 30 |
| Instant dance challenge | Cha cha | 30 out of 30 |
| Freestyle | Freeform tribute routine | 30 out of 30 |
| Total | All three rounds combined | 89 out of 90 |
Judge Derek Hough called Robert the quickstep king after his opening routine, and Bruno Tonioli compared his movement to a mix of a cheetah, a gazelle, and a lion. Even though rival Alix Earle actually finished with a perfect 90 on the judges’ leaderboard, the audience vote pushed Robert and Witney over the top by one of the widest margins ever recorded on the show.
That gap between judge scores and fan votes says a lot about why this win resonated so widely. Viewers were not just rewarding technical skill. They were responding to a genuine, heartfelt story that had been building for months.
The Irwin Family Legacy
A Decade Apart
Ten years earlier, in 2015, Bindi Irwin won season 21 of Dancing with the Stars at just seventeen years old alongside partner Derek Hough. Robert’s 2025 win made the Irwins the first brother and sister pair to both claim the mirrorball trophy.
| Season | Year | Irwin Winner | Pro Partner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 21 | 2015 | Bindi Irwin | Derek Hough |
| Season 34 | 2025 | Robert Irwin | Witney Carson |
Before the finale, Bindi sent her brother a video message that many fans still talk about, telling him she had brought the trophy home ten years ago and it was now his turn. After the win, an emotional Robert said his sister put it best when she told him thank you for changing my life.
The Trophy Finds a New Home
Robert’s mirrorball trophy and his finale outfit now sit on display at Australia Zoo, directly across the hall from Bindi’s trophy from 2015. Robert shared the update online, saying he felt proud that two mirrorballs now called Australia Zoo home. Interestingly, the siblings’ finale outfits shared a strikingly similar black and jewel toned color palette, something Robert joked about as wearing almost the same color spectrum a full ten years apart.
Honoring Steve Irwin
Robert dedicated the win to his late father, the beloved Crocodile Hunter who passed away in 2006. His mother Terri shared a touching message saying no one would be more impressed than his dad. Robert broke down after his final routine, admitting he wished his father could have seen it. Family friend Russell Crowe also sent a video message praising Robert’s effort throughout the season, and across every episode Robert used his platform to highlight wildlife conservation, keeping his family’s mission alive in front of a massive television audience.
Behind The Scenes: Robert’s Rib Injury and Resilience
What most viewers did not realize during the broadcast was that Robert competed through a painful rib injury in the final stretch of the competition. Witney Carson admitted her instincts as a mother kicked in, and she adjusted choreography wherever possible to protect him from further harm.
Robert was candid about the toll it took, saying that pushing any harder risked breaking his body. Despite that pain, he still delivered two perfect scores on finale night and walked away with the trophy, a result that speaks volumes about his determination. That kind of grit fits naturally with the Irwin family reputation for facing hard situations with courage rather than backing down.
Complete Season 34 Results and Full Cast
Final Standings
The finale ranking, from champion to fifth place, looked like this once every vote was tallied.
| Placement | Celebrity | Professional Partner |
|---|---|---|
| First place, winner | Robert Irwin | Witney Carson |
| Second place, runner up | Alix Earle | Val Chmerkovskiy |
| Third place | Jordan Chiles | Ezra Sosa |
| Fourth place | Dylan Efron | Daniella Karagach |
| Fifth place | Elaine Hendrix | Alan Bersten |
Full Season 34 Cast
Fourteen celebrity and professional pairs started the season together, and the table below recaps the entire roster for anyone catching up on the full journey.
| Celebrity | Professional Partner | Known For |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Irwin | Witney Carson | Wildlife conservationist, winner |
| Alix Earle | Val Chmerkovskiy | Social media influencer, runner up |
| Jordan Chiles | Ezra Sosa | Olympic gymnast |
| Dylan Efron | Daniella Karagach | Reality TV personality |
| Elaine Hendrix | Alan Bersten | Actress, The Parent Trap |
| Scott Hoying | Rylee Arnold | Pentatonix singer |
| Danielle Fishel | Pasha Pashkov | Boy Meets World star |
| Andy Richter | Emma Slater | Comedian, former Conan sidekick |
| Hilaria Baldwin | Gleb Savchenko | Yoga instructor |
| Corey Feldman | Jenna Johnson | Eighties film star |
| Lauren Jauregui | Brandon Armstrong | Fifth Harmony singer |
| Jen Affleck | Jan Ravnik | Social media influencer |
| Whitney Leavitt | Mark Ballas | Social media influencer |
| Baron Davis | Britt Stewart | NBA All Star |
Conclusion
Robert Irwin and Witney Carson are the champions of Dancing with the Stars season 34, crowned on November 25, 2025 after a record breaking finale. Robert’s win matched his sister Bindi’s victory from a decade earlier, made his rib injury battle even more remarkable, and honored his father’s legacy every step of the way. It was a season built on family, heart, and genuine effort. Whether you watched every week or just found this story today, it stands as a reminder of what talent paired with resilience can achieve on live television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won Dancing with the Stars 2025?
Robert Irwin, a wildlife conservationist and son of Steve Irwin, won season 34 of Dancing with the Stars on November 25, 2025 alongside professional partner Witney Carson.
Who was the runner up on Dancing with the Stars season 34?
Alix Earle, a social media influencer, placed second alongside her professional partner Val Chmerkovskiy.
When did Bindi Irwin win Dancing with the Stars?
Bindi Irwin won season 21 back in 2015 at seventeen years old, partnered with Derek Hough, who now serves as a judge on the show.
What scores did Robert Irwin receive in the finale?
Robert earned a combined total of 89 out of 90 points, including a 29 for his quickstep and perfect scores of 30 for both his cha cha and freestyle routines.
Did Robert Irwin compete with an injury?
Yes, Robert danced through a painful rib injury during finale week. His partner Witney Carson adjusted their choreography to reduce strain, yet he still delivered two perfect scoring performances.
